DAN COUGHLIN
Special to The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hal Lebovitz's brain was virtually exploding with plans when he succeeded retiring Plain Dealer Sports Editor Gordon Cobbledick in December, 1964. His first move was to hire a dwarf to answer the phones. We rejoiced because our phones rang continuously.
Readers called us with tips and story suggestions that often paid off. For example, when high school basketball star Lee Walczuk transferred in mid-season from Gilmour Academy to St. Edward, his father called to tip us off. He could have called the Cleveland Press, but he didn't.